Skeeter and Moon Make a Baby

Okay, I am seriously overdue for a post! Truth be told, I've started several drafts over the past few months, but I always run out of time to finish and/or I just can't find the right words. By the time I've had a chance to resume writing, what I had created originally was old news or I simply wasn't happy with what I had written. So, let me just hit the highlights...The really BIG news, as our family and friends know, is that we've been very busy with the arrival of our first child! Jacoby Parker Hart was born February 10, 2010, and we've been on a whirlwind adventure ever since!

The birth of Jacoby was an intense and amazing experience. It was the most challenging, scary and wonderful day of my life. Jason and my sister, Julie, were an incredible support team!

We're still in awe of our little guy and honestly still in shock that we are now parents even though we've been completely immersed in parenting for the past FOUR months! Every day is a bit of trial and error as we try to figure out just what is the best way to care for Jacoby. Of course, we're also learning that what works one day may not necessarily work the next, but all in all, we're becoming much more confident in our parenting skills. Parenting truly is the most challenging job I've ever had, and as has been said many times before, it is also the most rewarding. (Perfect example of why I've started and trashed so many posts thus far. It's hard not to sound cliche when you are an awestruck, adoring, overwhelmed, sleep deprived new parent!) For the sake of posting SOMETHING, I'm relieving myself of the pressure to write anything clever or creative...in fact, I think I let go of that charge well into pregnancy. Apologies...my brain has been in a fog for several months now!

Back to our baby boy...He is indeed the apple of my eye and his father's pride and joy! At four months he is smiling, laughing, cooing, and trying with all his might to form words. He loves action...Translation: he's not one of those babies who will sit quietly and entertain himself. He is also not terribly fond of sleep, but who needs sleep when you've got a happy, healthy, alert baby boy to play with all hours of the day? Actually, his sleeping habits are improving, so there is light at the end of the tunnel...

Although we are still breastfeeding, we introduced rice cereal about a week ago. Jacoby knew immediately to open his mouth when offered a spoon, and he seems to really enjoy having a new item on the menu. Cereal, of course, isn't the only new business in Jacoby's world...seems as though there is a new sound, action or expression nearly every day as well.

Summary of the past four months:

Jacoby's Birthday

One Month Old

Two Months Old

Three Months Old

Four Months Old

We've been on the road a lot during the past few months. We've made a couple of crazy-quick visits to the coast to see our good friends there. (See Angela and Matt's blog for photos) Jacoby has seen his great grandma Helen in Sacramento a couple of times, and we've visited Nana Cathy and Grandpa Kenny in Santa Rosa on several occasions. Jacoby is a pretty good traveler, and he seems content seeing new places and people.

Our other big news is that Jason has accepted a promotion with the Parks, and we're relocating to Mt. Diablo. Jason has already started his new job as Maintenance Chief, and he seems to like the challenges of an administrative position so far. (He's never had a "desk" job before!) The past six weeks have been hectic with Jason traveling back and forth from the East Bay and trying to prepare for the move. Moving day is June 18th, so our new adventure as a family starts soon! Although we love the Sierras, we know it is not the right place for us to live in the long run. (very few career advancement opportunities for either one of us and the snow is just too much for our gardening passion) We will return often for camping and paddling the lakes, though! The East Bay may not be our ideal living environment either, but we're glad to be moving below the snowline and closer to some of our family and friends.

And so a new chapter begins...

More Snow!

Whoa! That was the first word to escape my mouth when I peered out the window this morning! Another foot of snow arrived overnight. We are getting buried! Luckily, the forecast is for clear skies for the weekend, so we'll get a slight reprieve before the next round of precipitation begins on Monday.

I can't imagine what it's like at the higher elevations today. I'm sure it's beautiful, and I'd love to check it out, but the road conditions are less than ideal at the moment. (not to mention the fact that my snow gear doesn't fit right now!!) I'm sure they'll have the roads clear by this afternoon...It's going to be a big weekend for the ski resort and a much needed boost to the local economy.

Although it's a bit overwhelming to be living in it, it is a relief to know California is finally accumulating some snow pack. Drought is a constant here, and it remains to be seen whether or not this winter will help alleviate the severity of the current situation.

Stormy Weather

If you live in California, you are experiencing this series of storms one way or another right now. At our house, 5000 feet in the Central Sierra, the first wave of storms has created an accumulation of just over 24 inches of snow in 48 hours. Poor Jason has been shoveling like a madman, trying to keep the vehicles and walkways clear just in case we have to leave in an emergency...I'm not feeling as though birth is imminent, but I suppose it's a good idea to be prepared.

While Jason handles the heavy work, (and I will pick up the slack in a month or so, I promise!) I'm keeping myself busy cleaning, organizing, rereading childbirth books, and preparing meals for the freezer to be used after the baby arrives.

Jason is officially on vacation now, and it's been nice having time alone together. I am 38 weeks pregnant now. We have finished our childbirth classes, and we think we are well stocked with all of the baby supplies we're going to need in the immediate sense. (we hope!)

At this point, we're feeling very prepared and suddenly time is moving very slowly! Nine months passed by in a flash, but the last week crawled at a snail's pace...We're both maintaining a positive attitude, though...

Hope you are all staying warm, dry, and cozy! Love, N

Our house yesterday before the wind and snow created periodic white-out conditions.

Us enjoying a break in the weather this morning. More snow is falling now and is expected well into tomorrow. Even our coastal born cat Annie is adjusting to the snow after three winters in the Sierra. (well, she doesn't love it, but she's spending more time outside than in the past. Can't blame her...we have mixed emotions about the snow, too)

Christmas

Hope everyone had a pleasant holiday season! We enjoyed a quiet Christmas at home along with our good friend Andrew who was visiting from the coast. It was a very relaxing weekend. We slept late, watched Christmas movies, ate, laughed, and ate some more...very nice! Happy New Year everyone!

Tie-dye Creations

Here is a sampling of some of the one-of-a-kind tie-dye art created by our friends and family at the baby celebration! Twenty-five onesies were customized at the party, and we love them all! (Our child will either love us or hate us for this...hopefully we'll be forgiven! Tie-dye makes us smile, and I'm guessing spit-up stains will be a cinch to hide!)

By the way, Matt and Angela captured some great photos of the party on their blog, too. Check out the link to their site on the right...

Baby Celebration

Earlier this month, Cathy and Ken hosted a very fun, very relaxed gathering of some of our closest family and friends to celebrate the upcoming arrival of our baby. We had a great time, and we'd like to thank those of you who were able to attend for creating such a great day for us.

My sister and her husband drove up from San Diego. Aunt Julie and Uncle Dave have already started to spoil their first niece or nephew to-be!

It was a beautiful day, so we spent a lot of time enjoying the backyard.

(Pam, Jennifer, Trevor, and Cathy soaking up the sun....)

Getting down and dirty tie-dying onesies!

Later in the day, we were coaxed into opening gifts...We were definitely "showered" despite our protests! Thank you all for your kindness and generosity!

Grampa Kenny and Nana Cathy had fun selecting an ice cream cake for the celebration. The decorations featured an outdoor theme with a baby in a canoe. The caption on the side of the cake read "May the Forest Be With You." Perfect for our little family!

The Nursery

Yes, it's true we are a little preoccupied with baby business of late. I promise, we will return to our normal selves (as much as is possible!!) once we have adjusted to the newness of starting a family. In the meantime, bear with us! We are both downright giddy with excitement...Here is the progress we've made on Baby's room thus far.

The crib. (Thank you Nana Cathy and Grandpa Kenny! We love you!)

A little homespun decor...a creative effort between Jason and myself, with a grateful nod to the Goddess of Homemaking, Ms. Martha, of course, for the toadstool idea.

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A Jason original...ditto for the kindly serpent above.